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Stoke-on-Trent: Did the Romans make pottery there? Stoke-on-Trent: Did the Romans make pottery there?
(about 20 hours later)
Stoke-on-Trent, also known as the Potteries, has been a production centre for ceramics for 300 years, but does its creative heritage stretch back to Roman times?Stoke-on-Trent, also known as the Potteries, has been a production centre for ceramics for 300 years, but does its creative heritage stretch back to Roman times?
Chris from Ipstones got in touch through Your Questions to ask if the Romans made pottery in Stoke-on-Trent and the answer is yes, but what were they making and why?Chris from Ipstones got in touch through Your Questions to ask if the Romans made pottery in Stoke-on-Trent and the answer is yes, but what were they making and why?
A kiln dated AD 43-69 was discovered in Trent Vale during excavations between 1955 and 1957. And nearby a potter's workshop and a fort was found.A kiln dated AD 43-69 was discovered in Trent Vale during excavations between 1955 and 1957. And nearby a potter's workshop and a fort was found.
Pieces of earthenware found inside the kiln are the earliest known in The Potteries.Pieces of earthenware found inside the kiln are the earliest known in The Potteries.
Then, as now, potters in Stoke were making kitchenware but they also had an eye to the afterlife.Then, as now, potters in Stoke were making kitchenware but they also had an eye to the afterlife.
For more archaeology stories see our Pinterest boardFor more archaeology stories see our Pinterest board
"It appears that the pottery was producing flagons, bowls, lamp-holders, cheese presses, jars and kitchenware," said Jonathan Goodwin, a senior archaeologist at Stoke-on-Trent City Council."It appears that the pottery was producing flagons, bowls, lamp-holders, cheese presses, jars and kitchenware," said Jonathan Goodwin, a senior archaeologist at Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Also found was a rare 'face pot', some of which were used to hold cremated remains.Also found was a rare 'face pot', some of which were used to hold cremated remains.
"There is some debate about who or what the faces were supposed to portray - a specific person or a god or perhaps a generic portrait connected to a cult or ritual," said Mr Goodwin."There is some debate about who or what the faces were supposed to portray - a specific person or a god or perhaps a generic portrait connected to a cult or ritual," said Mr Goodwin.
"It may have been the pottery served the fort."It may have been the pottery served the fort.
"Or the fort was there to protect the pottery as an economic investment."Or the fort was there to protect the pottery as an economic investment.
"It could have been a pottery trade centre supplying Roman settlements elsewhere."It could have been a pottery trade centre supplying Roman settlements elsewhere.
"It's close to the date of the Roman invasion, so very early days in Roman Britain."It's close to the date of the Roman invasion, so very early days in Roman Britain.
"It may be that this was wild and unconquered land so they needed to have a military presence here.""It may be that this was wild and unconquered land so they needed to have a military presence here."
But where is the evidence of early Roman settlements?But where is the evidence of early Roman settlements?
City councillor Daniel Jellyman said: "Stoke-on-Trent was an engine house of the industrial revolution and our ceramics expertise is world renowned.City councillor Daniel Jellyman said: "Stoke-on-Trent was an engine house of the industrial revolution and our ceramics expertise is world renowned.
"Unfortunately, the industrialisation which made Stoke-on-Trent famous has meant that the small amount of signs that have shown Roman activity in the city are no longer visible.""Unfortunately, the industrialisation which made Stoke-on-Trent famous has meant that the small amount of signs that have shown Roman activity in the city are no longer visible."
The area the kiln and potters workshop were found is now home to a Michelin Tyre factory.The area the kiln and potters workshop were found is now home to a Michelin Tyre factory.
Mr Goodwin said the scattering of Roman finds gave "tantalising glimpses" into the Romans' time in Stoke-on-Trent.Mr Goodwin said the scattering of Roman finds gave "tantalising glimpses" into the Romans' time in Stoke-on-Trent.
A pot filled with 2,461 coins and two silver bracelets, known as the Lightwood Hoard, was uncovered in 1963 buried far from other Roman remains.A pot filled with 2,461 coins and two silver bracelets, known as the Lightwood Hoard, was uncovered in 1963 buried far from other Roman remains.
Fragments of a Roman road have been found in east Longton and along King Street through Fenton and the city centre to Wolstanton and on to Chester. But its exact route is unknown. Fragments of a Roman road have been found in east Longton and along King Street through Fenton and the city centre to Wolstanton and on to Chesterton. But its exact route is unknown.
"There is absolutely nothing in terms of a settlement so it seems it was deliberately buried out of the way," said Mr Goodwin."There is absolutely nothing in terms of a settlement so it seems it was deliberately buried out of the way," said Mr Goodwin.
"The coins are dated three centuries after the kiln and pottery so we know the Romans were here for a couple of hundred years."The coins are dated three centuries after the kiln and pottery so we know the Romans were here for a couple of hundred years.
"The road may be the artery that links them all together but its precise course through the city we don't know.""The road may be the artery that links them all together but its precise course through the city we don't know."
Mr Jellyman said: "The evidence as to why the Romans had settlements in the city and what they did here is largely a mystery, but one which we are eager to find out more about."Mr Jellyman said: "The evidence as to why the Romans had settlements in the city and what they did here is largely a mystery, but one which we are eager to find out more about."
Mr Goodwin added: "I suspect there is more to tell us about what the Romans were doing here that we will one day find."Mr Goodwin added: "I suspect there is more to tell us about what the Romans were doing here that we will one day find."
This story was inspired by this question sent in by Chris from Ipstones, Staffordshire: "Did the Romans make pottery in Stoke?"This story was inspired by this question sent in by Chris from Ipstones, Staffordshire: "Did the Romans make pottery in Stoke?"
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